Winter Night Shelter reopens in Glasgow to provide emergency help for homeless

“At the night shelter it was like you’d won a prize because you were getting somewhere warm, dry and clean. A hot drink and toast might not sound like much but when you’ve been out in the cold it means a lot.”

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Glasgow City Mission says the shortage of suitable accommodation and cutbacks in social care continue to cause the problems across Glasgow as the team brace themselves for another busy year.

Grant Campbell, chief executive, said: “Rough sleeping in Glasgow continues to be a significant issue. There are no quick or simple fixes to homelessness sadly and long-term use of night shelters are certainly not the answer – suitable homes are.

“We have seen progress in the way in which organisations work together to tackle the problem which is to be applauded. However until more provision is made in the form of more suitable homes, systemic change at local authority level in the way homeless applications are dealt with, and more tailored support for people put in place, we cannot stand by and watch more people being forced to sleep on our city’s streets this winter.

(Image: Photofusion/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))

“During the harsh winter months, it is simply too cold and too dangerous for some of our most vulnerable citizens with complex needs. Together with our partners, we want to provide a safe, warm and welcoming space for those who are forced to sleep rough in the city.

“Critically however, we want to address the root causes and secure lasting help for people in the form of a sustainable housing solution.

“We’ve found that not everyone knows how to access statutory homeless provision. Others have had difficulties accessing and navigating it.

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“With our advocacy and that of our partners, we’ve managed to get people into accommodation by connecting night shelter guests to the local authority.”

The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter service will once again be based at the Lodging House Mission premises in East Campbell Street, near the Barrowlands.

Doors will open at 10pm every night - including Christmas and New Year - and breakfast will be served each morning.

Guests will be advised of support services, with trained staff trying to understand the underlying causes behind each person being homeless and what they can do next, from NHS support to legal advice.

The project can happen courtesy of £70,000 raised by Rangers fans sleeping out at Ibrox Stadium two years ago, which allowed the Winter Night Shelter to stay open for an additional month in 2016 and 2017 and again in 2018.

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It helps those in need like Tony, who found himself sleeping rough in Argyle Street last year following a hospital discharge.

The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter user explained: “Within hours of settling down, I had been spat on by a passer-by for sleeping rough.

“I’d walked down the same street not long before and seen people sleeping there. You never for a moment think that it could be you.

“I’d gone to the night shelter and it was like you’d won a prize because you were getting somewhere warm, dry and clean. A hot drink and toast might not sound like much but when you’ve been out in the cold it means a lot.”

You can find out more about the project by visiting the Glasgow City Mission website.